"Well, my friend, I do not think there was a fashionable home in Washington we did not call on. I even had the good fortune to take tea with Mrs. Lincoln."
"Tea with Mrs. Lincoln. I have heard many things of her. So tell me, what is she really like?"
"Oh, she was absolutely charming. I think, perhaps, she is very lonely. There is so much animosity toward Southerners in Washington nowadays, and she is still obviously one. I hear tell that many people do not understand how important it is to maintain appearances at the White House, as well, and do not appreciate what she has done to refurbish the place."
Charlie and Richard sat quietly, neatly arranging their cards and pretending to be part of the furniture.
"I have heard that she has mediums in and out of the White House regularly to try and contact her dead son. She seems to have a reputation as a rather strange bird."
"I think the loss of her son, coupled with all of the horror of this war, has left her with a great sadness and a longing for something she cannot articulate."
"Before I arrived here, I took dinner with a friend of mine who is an aide in the White House. He said there was rumor of a dream that President Lincoln has been having regularly for the last few months and it may also have something to do with her mood."
"Yes, she mentioned it and I think it weighs heavily on her heart. Mr. Lincoln does not expect to survive his tenure. I pray sincerely he does, for if he dies, the South haters will gain control and I fear the aftermath will be very hard."
Charlie and Richard continued their silence. Both were aware, far more so than Rebecca and Elizabeth, just how deeply the desire for revenge ran in some of the Northern politicians.
"I do believe," Rebecca patted Charlie's hand. "That my dear husband was a little stunned when we went shopping."
Charlie had the grace to hang his head a bit. "Well, uh, it was a bit, uh, extensive." He looked intently at his cards. "Will you open the bidding, dear?"
Rebecca sighed and for the first time looked at her cards. After a moment of arranging them she made her bid, then looked to Charlie. "Yes, dear."
For a few moments, the four of them concentrated on their cards. Charlie then commented, "You know, we did have dinner with Jay Cooke."
Richard’s eyes left Elizabeth for a moment. "The banker?"
"Yes. He and I discussed what the business world would be like down here after the war is over. I think Culpeper will be in need of a fair bit of support to recover, so we are beginning to explore the idea of opening a bank here when I get back."
Rebecca's eyes widened. "A bank? Charlie, you did not mention that. That is wonderful."
"Well, dear, we are still at the talking stage. Nothing specific has been set down yet and I did not want to get your hopes up."
"It certainly does not matter to me. We will be busy enough with the farm, but if the opportunity arises for you it would be tremendous."
"Oh, I do not think I will have the day to day running of it, if it comes about at all. I really do not have the skills for it. But several of our men were clerks and such before the war and perhaps one of them will be willing to move here and help us out."
Rebecca nodded and laid a card on the trick. She could tell Charlie was excited. "You would make a wonderful banker. Perhaps Elizabeth will come back and open a hospital. And Sergeant Jackson could come in and run the local tavern," she teased as she watched Richard try to decide which card to play.
Charlie and Richard both laughed. The idea of Jocko as a tavern keeper was most amusing. Richard, in particular, had a history of attempting to drink Jocko under the table –– and failing miserably. "My dear, if Jocko were the tavern keeper, he would likely drink all his profits and then some. I do believe that man has the original hollow leg." Richard thought for a moment. "On the other hand, if he ran out of rum, all he would need to do is tap into his own arm, for with all he has consumed over the years, I suspect he has it running in his veins instead of blood." Richard laid down his card and surrendered the trick to the ladies.
--*--
Friday, February 17, 1865
All through the day, Sarah had been cooking. A birthday –– the first birthday that sweet little girl could really celebrate –– was an important event. Sarah was busy fixing everything the little one liked for dinner and baking a lovely spice cake, decorated with whipped cream frosting. Gen’l Charlie had brought home some fine sugar instead of the heavy brown stuff they got if they were lucky. Sarah was in her element.
At the same time, Tess had a very excited little girl to contend with. All she could think of was the party that had been promised to her. It was not obvious that Em understood what a birthday was, but she certainly understood the idea of a party. And she wanted it to start immediately.
Charlie came in from his daily rounds and went upstairs to change into his oldest coat. As surely as the sun rose and set, he knew he would be wearing birthday cake before the day was complete.
Rebecca entered their room and slid up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her head on his back. "I love you, Charlotte Redmond."
Charlie stopped breathing. No one had called her Charlotte in twenty years. As far as she could remember, no one had said ‘‘I love you’ to Charlotte since her mother, that blurry figure in the recesses of her early childhood memories. She managed to find her voice. "I love you, Rebecca Redmond."
She drew in a deep satisfied breath and patted his back. "But now, my dashing husband, you have a little girl who is chomping at the bit for her 'pawty' to begin, and I think we should get downstairs before she has a full blown conniption."
Charlie laughed, settled his coat and offered Rebecca his arm. "Well, madam, shall we?"
Arm in arm, they went to the nursery and collected Em and Tess. "Well, little one, it is time. First, we will visit your mama, so you must be very good and gentle."
"Yes, Papa. I be good."
They entered Constance’s room quietly. The fragile woman was waiting for them and beckoned Em to her with open arms. "How is my big girl today?"
"Mama, I am good, Papa say."
Charlie and Constance smiled at one another over the shining black head currently cuddled onto Constance’s shoulder. "So, Emily, what are you going to do now that you are two and a big girl?"
"Unc Wichawd make me count." She held up her hand. "Dis many."
Constance laughed, an act that unfortunately set off a coughing fit. Rebecca lifted the little girl from her arms, while Charlie braced her through the episode. Finally, she regained her breath. "Well, little one, I wish I could come downstairs with you, but I am afraid I have to stay here in my bed. You have a lovely birthday, my darling girl."
"Yes, Mama. I love you."
The little girl was very quiet and solemn as Rebecca carried her downstairs. "Mama bewy sick."
"Yes sweetheart, she is."
"Mama go be with real Papa?"
Rebecca looked at he child, for the first time realizing how much this little girl really understood. "Yes, your Papa Henry and God."
Em thought for a few minutes. "You be my real mama then?"
"If you would like. Yes, I will be your Mama."
"Good. Mama be happy, Em be happy with you. Pawty now?"
Rebecca chuckled and hugged her little girl. "As soon as Papa comes down from tending to your Mama."
Rebecca, burdened with the weight of the rapidly growing child, had walked down the stairs slowly. Charlie, having settled Constance, hurried behind them.
Together the three of them entered the main dining room. Elizabeth and Richard were waiting, along with Samantha Carter and Jeremiah, Jocko and Mrs. White, and even Duncan. He had recently been elevated to the rank of Sergeant and was looking a little uncomfortable, although one could not tell if it was because of the new stripes on his tunic or the basket he held awkwardly in his hands.
Charlie relieved Rebecca of Em and announced for the room. "Ladies and gentleman, may I present the birthday girl, Miss Emily Adams."